Terrible_Trousers: Easy Ed, Am I missing something? I try not to get caught up in what "certain cable networks" have to say, but all the talk yesterday was of "how well the Cowboys played" and that they "really learned something about themselves" even if they "gave a game away." So what's your opinion? Great Steeler win? or the better team gave the game away?

Ed Bouchette: From what I heard, people weren't saying the better team lost, they just said the Cowboys played well in a tough place against a tough team, and I agree with them. And, yes, it was a great Steelers win because they were down 13-3. However, I thought the offense played losing football.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: Ed, regarding the tie-breakers: In the event that the Steelers lost, would the Steelers still be technically in first place? They would have the same record (10-4), they would both have one loss in the division (Pit: 4-1, Bal: 5-1) but the Steelers would have a better AFC record at 8-2 and the Ravens would be 8-3. Please shed some light.

Ed Bouchette: Yes, they would have the lead on that tiebreaker, and that could be crucial. They can lose at Baltimore, but if they win their final two games, they'll be AFC North champs and get the No. 2 seed. So, again, this is not a must-win for them.

Terrible_Trousers: Ed, do you think the Steelers are now a better team than when they first played B-more this season? Because it appears that B-more has improved since then.

Ed Bouchette: No, I don't think the Steelers are as good.

hinestheman: Ed, Ike Taylor has been really good this year, back to is 2004 form, maybe even better ... To what do you attribute his success? What was missing the last 2 years?

Ed Bouchette: Ike played well last season too. It was 2006 in which he had a down year and prompted Bill Cowher to bench him. Perhaps that benching meant more to Ike over the long term because it got his attention.

SteelersPSU: Ed, in the grand scheme of things, victories over the Browns and the Purple Browns (Ravens) mean much more to the Steelers run to the playoffs every year than a victory over the Cowboys. However, because of the historical link these two teams have, if you ask most fans, that victory Sunday night was easily the biggest win of the season and Mike Tomlin's short career. Your thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: I think it was big for those reasons you mention. However, remember when the Steelers beat the unbeaten Eagles and Patriots consecutively at home in 2004? They were huge wins, then they lost to the Pats in the title game and those 2 wins meant little in the large scope.

Nosmo_King: Dear Steeler Swami: The Eagles exposed the Steeler O-line earlier this year. The Ravens have the talent to do the same. What do you anticipate Ben is going to survive the anticipated blitz onslaught from the Ravens this weekend? Quick hit routes ... three step drops?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know that he will survive. I see a lot of the same stuff happening that happened in Philly this year and in Baltimore 2 years ago.

WyoSteelerFans: Hey Ed, what is up with the short yardage running game? After short stops on the goal line from Indy, the Chargers, now the Cowboys, will Russell and a blocking fullback get it done in the playoffs? Or lead to a quick exit? Will a big back be addressed in the draft?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think it's so much a big back as it is better blocking.

Away_with_Arians: Ed, when will this team run the ball? I fear this year will waste one of the great defensive teams in recent NFL history because Coach Arians won't develop an offensive identity!

Ed Bouchette: Maybe they just can't run it, that's my opinion anyway. Mike Tomlin snidely called out the media after the Pats game for writing they can't run but I'll say it again, they can't run and the stats -- and video -- prove it.

James_Taipei: Can the Steelers offense actually score enough points to win a playoff game or two? Or do we need to hope that the defense scores in every playoff game?

Ed Bouchette: I think the answer to your question is the second question you asked.

Big_Snack: Big Snack covering backs in the flat? ... You think the rest of the teams on the Steelers' schedule have noticed that? They must be licking their chops.

Ed Bouchette: Do you mean the one time he came over and made the tackle out there? I don't think he was "covering," I think he just made a good play to get out there and tackle the guy.

Away_with_Arians: Willie isn't right. Do you know anything or hear anything around the clubhouse?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, he tore his MCL and then tore his shoulder and then re-injured his knee. Other than that, he's 100 percent.

_Running_on_MnT: The punting and kicking woes for the Steelers against Dallas...Due to the cold and wind? Still, it seems we "won" the special teams game when we most needed it. Your take please?

Ed Bouchette: I think they need a new punter, but they're not getting one this week. Jeff Reed missed one in the open end of the field from 45 yards away on grass. That'll happen.

nhsteel: What will the Steelers do to combat the Ravens blitz? They looked scary vs Washington, sending two blitzers wide at the same time.

Ed Bouchette: How about one of those old knights outfits for Ben? They better get rid of it quickly, practice their silent count to death and hope they don't get maimed like Rashard Mendenhall.

nhsteel: The secondary played great on Sunday ... even when TO scored, Taylor was right with him. Did McFadden play well enough to get his starting job back?

Ed Bouchette: Mike Tomlin said today he played well. I think he's the starter but William Gay has played so well, maybe they go one more game with him there.

coldservings: Ed, there's been the usual year-end speculation about Bill Cowher assuming a head coaching job next year. Rumors are that he'd like to bring Omar Kahn and/or Kevin Colbert with him to a new organization. Do you have any idea as to their contractual obligations with the Steelers and would the organization let them go if under contract?

Ed Bouchette: Kevin Colbert is under contract and I would be stunned if they let him go to Cleveland -- or that he might want to.

carlnicklas: The Steelers have been horrible on fourth down conversions this year. Is it because of poor play calling, poor offensive line play, more risk taking than normal, or something else?

Ed Bouchette: I just don't think they have th goods to be automatic anymore on one-yard plays.

SteelCityNorth: Hi Ed, does Rashard Mendenhall travel with the team? What's his routine as far as learning the offense and integrating into the team?

Ed Bouchette: No, he does not travel. He's rehabbing and I see him on occasion in the locker room.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: Ed, fill in the blank: If the Steelers________ they will win the game.

Ed Bouchette: Score on two interceptions and a fumble return.

Jacque_Strap: At this point I'm not expecting the offense to get any better. How far can the defense take this team?

Ed Bouchette: The Ravens' defense took it the whole way in 2000. The offense needs to just get out of their way and not muck things up.

Katmandu: Ed, based on what you've seen last week and this week, what are Brett Keisel's chances of playing this weekend?

Ed Bouchette: They're better. He will try and they'll go from there. But Travis Kirschke played pretty well in his absence, especially against the 'Boys

Katmandu: Ed, it's frustrating to see Baltimore playing the way the Steelers used to play, or "should" play. Going in to Sunday, I think it's a pipedream to think the Steelers will be able to run the ball effectively against Baltimore. How about utilizing the no-huddle from the outset and try to control the tempo that way? Thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: Like I said, just don't get in the way of the defense and you might win 9-6.

IDroppedTheBall: Final 3 games, your predictions?

Ed Bouchette: Lose at Baltimore, win the final 2.

MPM: Which was worse: the decision to go for it on 4th and goal from the 2 down ten points with twelve minutes to go, or the play call that was called in that situation?

Ed Bouchette: I liked the decision -- it was from the one, by the way.

Tatanka_58: Win number 50 for Big Ben on Sunday?

Ed Bouchette: No, I like the Ravens in this one.

Tatanka_58: Is there any possibility the matchup of week 16 vs the Titans could move to sunday night prime time?

Ed Bouchette: I'm hearing that it cannot, that it's been protected by CBS.

rbird: Ed, Is there a concern that the Steelers after finishing this brutal schedule just won't have much left in the tank for the playoffs?

Ed Bouchette: No, that was last season. As long as guys are healthy. Everyone plays 16 games, everyone gets beat up.

stiller_fan_in_memphis: Ed - Odds on the Polamalu TD that was taken back biting us in the butt come tiebreak time ...?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think it will, but they're not as long as you might think.

Lefty_Leftwich: Ed, do you honestly feel this offense could win a game on its own if it had to? I feel it will be the downfall of this team in the post season.

Ed Bouchette: No, I don't.

rbird: Is Nate Washington okay? That was really scary until he did a Rod Tidwell.

Ed Bouchette: Yes, he seems to be OK. I agree, it looked really bad. When he popped up, he got an ovation and he wasn't on Tomlin's injury list today.

sinmusic: Not much publicity is given to Larry Foote. How big of a factor is he this year?

Ed Bouchette: He's played well enough to hold off the No. 1 pick in 2007, and that guy is not a bust.

sinmusic: There were some seemingly personal grudges among Bill Cowher and opposing coaches such as Brian Billick. Do you think one has developed yet with Mike Tomlin?

Ed Bouchette: I think it's a little early, plus coaches changed in Baltimore and the other 2 don't win.

Lefty_Leftwich: Ed, are there any gadget plays in the playbook this year? I don't recall any being run so far.

Ed Bouchette: Yes, remember they ran the wildcat in the preseason with the QB split out. They just have not run any during regular season.

sinmusic: We've seen players make adjustments and become better players as the years go on such as Troy P., Hines W. and James Harrison. Could we expect some leaps among our offensive line to warrant some contract extensions or is there some talent deficiencies that cannot be overcome?

Ed Bouchette: I think they'll make some offers, they just may not be high enough or to the players' liking -- or they may come to an agreement. I think you'll see them make offers to Chris K, Max and to Trai Essex.

Lefty_Leftwich: Ed, would you consider the game against Dallas a step back after the previous two games?

Ed Bouchette: Not when you win, baby, and you come out of it healthy. It was a step back for Dallas, though.

sinmusic: Did you set up a mini-Christmas tree on your desk yet?

Ed Bouchette: I don't have a desk, I gave it up to some other needy soul for Christmas.

Steelers_offense_makes_me_sick: With the way the offense has played this year, what do you think the Steelers' record would be at this point with just an average defense? Why can't the offense get it together?

Ed Bouchette: Think Cleveland Browns.

WyoSteelerFans: Score of Sunday's game? 3-2, 0-0 tie? Seriously, which defense do you think will prevail-er I mean offense.

Ed Bouchette: Low-scoring but that's a little too low because there will be turnovers and perhaps more field goals.

carlnicklas: It didn't seem like Ben was looking Hines' way much on Sunday. Was Dallas' coverage that good, or were there other problems?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know because Hines left the locker room so quickly after his one-catch, two-yard game that I did not have a chance to ask him.

_Running_on_MnT: A punishing ground game, a rookie QB performing above expectations, a defensive unit near the top of the league stats, and the team headed for the post season on a winning streak as a wild card if not a division Champ. Sound familiar?

Ed Bouchette: Oh, Baltimore could very well do that this year.

BigBenjaminFemmeFatale: Ed, Can the Steelers will really go all the way? I'm starting to believe! The D is sick and although the offense has been relatively weak, it seems no one can score on the Steelers! I hope your press conference went well and that Tomlin treated you well so you will stay here for at least an hour today to answer questions!

Ed Bouchette: This thing is wide open, even to a team that has no offense.

Chris_Cincinnati: I hate to be negative... But I'm not sure we can score on the Raven's defense. How do you think we will attack them offensively?

Ed Bouchette: First, if you win the coin toss in overtime, kick off. You have to try, but you have to protect the ball, as coaches say, because if you turn it over, they will eat you alive.

Tatanka_58: Whats wrong with the playcalling in the red zone? Any chance we could see something different and creative?

Ed Bouchette: You mean like bringing back the Bus?

rbird: Ed, the wives and children should stay home sunday and FOX should put a PG-13 disclaimer on the game. Just how physical and nasty do you expect it to be?

Ed Bouchette: Extremely, and never mind the wives and children, I would not step one foot inside that stadium in Baltimore Sunday, and you are planning your own suicide if you do so in Steelers gear.

Tatanka_58: Hey Ed, I've heard a lot of Cowgirls fans blaming the officiating for their loss on Sunday, comments please.

Ed Bouchette: I just received a question that I did not answer from a Steelers fan complaining about the refs on Sunday.

SteelersPSU: Ed, Ike Taylor actually caught the ball... Should we expect more of the same, or was he bound to eventually get one? I've always thought that If he could consistently catch it, he'd be mentioned in the same breath as Champ Bailey and Asante Samuel.

Ed Bouchette: He did catch 3 of them last year.

PhillyMarty: Willie Parker is clearly no longer Fast Willie. Can the Steelers win in January without more production from Willie? Are his shoulder and knee truly healthy? Why not get him ready for the playoffs?

Ed Bouchette: The Steelers are 10-3 with the toughest schedule in the NFL. Yes, they will face some good teams in the playoffs but none better than the ones they've played during the regular season. That's my long-winded answer of saying, yes, they can beat those teams if Willie does not get better.

PG_insider: Hello Ed, any injury news from coach today?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, good news at that. All healthy except, of course, Marvel Smith, who continues to earn his red shirt into free agency, FB Carey Davis (calf) and DE Brett Keisel, who may return.

Ed Bouchette: OK, thanks all. I will print out a copy and study this on my trip to Baltimore Saturday.